Used Turntable

Hi, I don’t know much about buying a “vintage” turntable so wanted some advice. Somebody posted this for $40. All I know is it’s a zenith, radio works, and the turntable is operable. He doesn’t know if records work because he’s never used it, just a piece of furniture for him. So if anybody can give me some details and let me know whether it’s worth buying would be great, thanks.

As far as using it to play records, I'll spare you all the technical reasons and just say I wouldn't do it.
You could possibly find someone handy who could help you gut the electronics and turntable and fit modern electronics instead. I've seen that done successfully a few times.

Should you decide to proceed as is, just know that the turntable won't be kind to your records. If you need replacement parts, Zenith often bought turntables from Voice of Music located in Benton Harbor MI. That looks like a VM turntable to me. They are long out of business but there are a couple of specialist websites.

As far as using it to play records, I'll spare you all the technical reasons and just say I wouldn't do it.
You could possibly find someone handy who could help you gut the electronics and turntable and fit modern electronics instead. I've seen that done successfully a few times.

Should you decide to proceed as is, just know that the turntable won't be kind to your records. If you need replacement parts, Zenith often bought turntables from Voice of Music located in Benton Harbor MI. That looks like a VM turntable to me. They are long out of business but there are a couple of specialist websites.

Click to expand...

How hard would it be to remove the turntable and run a modern table through the receiver?

It is a beautiful piece and maybe worth it as just a table to set your current system on if nothing else, @Mjy3

Consoles can be good fun and full of nostalgia but are almost always a project and hobby of love. Some of them can have 20+ vacuum tubes in them, are full of dust and dirt that have never been cleaned, etc.

I have a old console I picked up for $50 in the garage, I will be putting my system on top for display once by turntable is back from restoration in a month or so.